Japan

Government

• In the beginning, it was run by powerful clans

• The Fujuwara clan was dominant in the 8th century

• The Fujuwara clan neglected the people

• Japan passed into feudalism

Merchant

• Kamakura clan took over

• Led by Yoritomo (called shogun, which means great general

• Changed Japan into a warrior state

• Ashikaga clan took over in 1336

• Tokugawa clan took over in 1600

Warrior Class

• Japanese warrior was called a samurai

• Samurai lived by an unwritten code called Bushido (the way of the warrior)

• The Bushido required the warrior to commit suicide (called hara-kiri) rather than be captured or prove disloyal to master

Religion

• Shintoism – an ancient form of Japanese religion

• Believed that everything in nature that was unusual (waterfall, fire, high mountain) possessed deity.

• The sun was a goddess and the emperor was a descendant of the sum

• Zen Buddhism – religion from China

• Required its followers to develop intense mental concentration

• Helped the warriors on the battlefield

Vietnam

• Early civilization was divided into two kingdoms

1. Champa

2. Dai Viet

Dai Viet

Champa

• The Dai Viet invaded and destroyed the capital of Champa

• The Dai Viet became known as the Vietnamese

Cambodia (Angkor)

Cambodia

• Once known as Angkor

• Angkor served as the center of Khmer’s power

• Khmer was the empire in this region

• 1000 temples were built in this area

Angkor Wat

Ta prohm temple

• They were eventually ruled by the Thai and Vietnamese